Counting the three grandchildren that I adopted, bringing my total number of children up to 39, we’ve had 16 new births in twelve years time. That’s a lot of babies to hold, our own population explosion with three more due in the next couple of months. 19 babies in all from a family largely built from the adoption of older children.

That one choice just made me be a grandmother faster and at a younger age than normal. An abuelita (grandma) by age 40 and it had nothing to do with the fact that I birthed my oldest child when I was barely 19.

My oldest granddaughter, now 12, is in a grade with three of my children; two uncles and an aunt in her class. Her mother is pregnant... more

If anyone had the chance to catch the Dr. Phil show high lighting the "Adoption Scams on the Internet" at the end of February. Then you know that there are people on earth that simply do not have any self respect or compassion for other people.

Three women who are barren and desired to adopt a baby. Placed ads on the inter net seeking to adopt or help support any person who had an unplanned pregnancy, wishing to relinquish their child to loving adoptive parents.

All three of these ladies and I would expect a couple thousand more. Received answers from one person claiming to be pregnant and desired to give their baby up for them to adopt at birth. This person sucked the... more

This Thanksgiving will hold many treasured memories for me. I was blessed to have my Grandma Bears, my best friend Christie, My son and his family, April and a few other friends with us at our table.

My husband cooked most of the meal and I am more than Thankful and Proud of him. He did a fine job and he even did dishes too.

But the greatest thing I will remember is my son asking if he could give the blessings over our Thanksgiving Dinner. I listened to each of his words. This was a reflection of his thankful heart and he spoke from his soul. This is the first time I have ever heard my son pray out loud. As a child we prayed together but he would never pray aloud.

So... more

One of the hardest things to do is to let go of your kids and trust them enough to learn on their own. For years we are programmed to care for our children. To do what is best for them. Then all of a sudden we have to learn to step back and let them grow.

What a powerful lesson it is for us as parents. It is also one of the hardest things we have ever done. It is difficult to sit there and keep our mouth shut when we are sure our child is making a very big mistake.

What we have to learn is that these are mistakes they have to learn on their own. Then they have to learn to get themselves out of the mess they have made. It is all a part of growing up.

Let's... more

It is no doubt that I am a fan of all children. However I have a great love for children who have survived Foster Care and Adoption. When we chose to go into foster care we decided ahead of time that we were going to do this for families. To help keep children of sibling units together.

Our very first placement ended up being one child out of a group of seventeen siblings. Seven of which were brought into foster care at the same period of time. We were able to foster four and work with another sibling, who was in a boys home.

I can list... more

For most Foster and Adoptive Families. It is always good to have back up plans for family activities if the weather decides to change the plan.

With older children they usually can find something to occupy themselves around the house. However it's good to have some back up plans for days like this. The summer heat wave has hit in Michigan. Every day it has been too hot to be out side for long periods of time.

When the kids do go out. You must make sure they have a lot of water and cool drinks to keep them from dehydration.

It... more

If you take a room full of children just around toddler age. Now divide them into three groups.

1.) One third of the room has loving parents who supply every possible need their little one has.

2.) One third of the room are children of divorced parents who also have tried to provide their child with everything a loving parent can.

3.) The last third are groups of adopted and foster children. Who were recently placed into a new home and the lucky parents have given them everything they possibly can.

What would be the difference? They all are given the same toys to play with. They all hear the same child sing a long songs playing in the back ground. All... more

I think we all wish that there was a class we could take or a book we could read that would teach us how to live "Life."

Sure we can fill a library with books on different topics dealing with life issues. But with the world of knowledge no one person can ever have all the answers you will need for living your life.

When children are little we try and give them small chores to help structure their day and get them used to a little bit of personal responsibility.

As the children get older we increase these chores and even add an allowance... more

As I swing open my windows today and let in some of the beautiful sunshine and summer air. I listen for the signs of children playing.

It is almost sad. There isn't any laughter or funny voices to be heard. The world has become one of inside video games, computer chats, or television.

Most of my friends complain about not having free time from the kids because they just will not get up and go out side anymore. They sleep in, then get up and hit the Play Station II or the Computer Chatt Rooms.

The days of playing tennis,... more

One of the drawbacks of younger children is the good old issue of potty training.

I personally think that it has to be tailored to each child. Some kids catch on easy and there are others who just do not have a clue no matter how many trips you take to the potty room.

I was so lucky with my Angela. She just did not like being in a messy diaper. So we bought her little panties and she was a pro at potty training.

She preferred to use the big potty instead of her potty chair. We did not make a big deal of that we let her do it the way she felt most comfortable. Of course that meant we had to be there to hand her toilet paper for a few more months than normal.

So... more